occur to someone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "occur to someone" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express the idea that a thought or idea comes to someone's mind. Example: "It didn't occur to me that she might be feeling overwhelmed until she mentioned it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

When will it occur to someone to fight innovation with innovation — to think different?

The New York Times - Tech

Only when their leader is murdered does it occur to someone that the tribe might own something of value.

The New York Times - Books

This sort of bright idea could only occur to someone who had neither read a line of the libretto, nor responded to the music.

Independent

It would hardly occur to someone looking for exhibitionists to come to the Yorkshire Dales village of Rylstone, a picture perfect collection of cottages and a duck pond on the road between Skipton and Kettlewell.

The New York Times

One day, it might occur to someone, someone angry and powerful, someone obsessive and maniacal — a police chief or a gang leader, a leader of the opposition or a leader of the nation — that they, and all those who lived like them or near them, would be better off dead.

The New Yorker

The idea that the main cause of inequality is Americans who choose not to work because it's more attractive to live off the government could only occur to someone who has spent his career inside Washington think tanks and the White House.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

We all know death is inevitable; nevertheless when it occurs to someone as tremendous as Tom, it is really hard to fathom and leaves me in great agony.

Stanford University

Earlier this spring, however, it occurred to someone in the Mayor's campaign that Ellis Island would be a wonderfully convenient place for a fund raiser.

The New Yorker

A few years ago, it occurred to someone that the church's gated terrace would make a nice spot for lunch or a beer.

The New Yorker

"It's unfortunate that this has occurred to someone whose presence and leadership is felt by everyone in our organization on and off the field," Schmid said.

The New York Times - Sports

The sirens used to be operated by members of the Fire Department, but when it occurred to someone that in an emergency all the fireman in the city might be out fighting fires, the duty was handed over to the police.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider alternatives like "come to mind" or "dawn on someone" to add variety to your writing. Each alternative carries a slightly different nuance.

Common error

Ensure the tense of "occur" matches the context. For instance, use "it occurred to me" for past events, not "it occurs to me" unless describing a recurring thought.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "occur to someone" functions as a verb phrase indicating the emergence of a thought or idea in a person's mind. Ludwig examples show it used to express realizations or sudden understandings. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment of its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "occur to someone" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression indicating that a thought or idea has come to a person's mind. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It is found across various contexts, especially in news and media. While alternatives like "come to mind" or "cross someone's mind" exist, "occur to someone" maintains a versatile presence in both formal and informal communication. When using this phrase, ensure the tense matches the intended meaning and that it accurately conveys the sudden or unexpected nature of the thought.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

come to someone's mind

A more literal way of saying a thought appeared.

occur to one

More formal version of the phrase, replacing "someone" with "one".

cross someone's mind

Focuses on the thought briefly entering one's awareness.

dawn on someone

Implies a gradual realization or understanding.

strike someone

Suggests a sudden and forceful realization.

become apparent to someone

Highlights the clarity of the realization.

hit someone

Emphasizes the sudden impact of a realization.

register with someone

Indicates that something is understood or noticed.

enter someone's head

A more casual way of describing a thought.

enter into someone's consciousness

Suggests a deeper level of awareness.

FAQs

How can I use "occur to someone" in a sentence?

The phrase "occur to someone" is used to indicate that an idea or thought has come to a person's mind. Example: "It didn't "occur to someone" until later that they had forgotten their keys."

What is a synonym for "occur to someone"?

Alternatives include "cross someone's mind", "come to mind", or "dawn on someone". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "occur to someone" formal or informal?

The phrase "occur to someone" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal writing. However, more formal alternatives like "occur to one" exist.

What's the difference between "occur to someone" and "come to someone's mind"?

Both phrases express a similar idea, but "occur to someone" suggests a more sudden or unexpected thought, while "come to someone's mind" can indicate a more gradual or natural thought process.